The first early vote numbers are in—and there are reasons for Democrats to feel bullish

Link Copied! • Source: CNN ” data-fave-thumbnails=”{"big": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/dana-and-panel-early-voting.jpg?c=16×9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill" }, "small": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/dana-and-panel-early-voting.jpg?c=16×9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill" } }” data-vr-video=”false” data-show-html=”Inside Politics” data-byline-html=” By Dana Bash, CNN ” data-timestamp-html=” Published 2:36 PM EDT, Thu October 1, 2026 ” data-check-event-based-preview=”” data-is-vertical-video-embed=”false” data-network-id=”” data-publish-date=”2026-10-01T18:12:58.521Z” data-video-section=”politics” data-canonical-url=”https://www.cnn.com/2026/10/01/politics/video/inside-politics-midterms-early-voting-virginia-br” data-branding-key=”” data-video-slug=”inside-politics-midterms-early-voting-virginia-br” data-first-publish-slug=”inside-politics-midterms-early-voting-virginia-br” data-video-tags=”” data-breakpoints='{“video-resource–media-extra-large”: 660}’ data-display-video-cover=”” data-details=””> Video Ad Feedback The first early vote numbers are in—and there are reasons for Democrats to feel bullish Inside Politics Link Copied! Ron Brownstein joins the Inside Politics panel to help break down what the early data from the first days of early voting means for the final month of campaigning. And with President Trump beginning a multi-state campaign swing, Brownstein says that “Republicans are caught in sort of a conundrum here… As a Republican candidate, you may want President Trump to help gin up your turn out, but you have the risk that highlighting or association with him will drive away independent and swing voters, where he is deeply underwater.”

Video Ad Feedback The first early vote numbers are in—and there are reasons for Democrats to feel bullish 4:23 Now playing • Source: CNN • Source: CNN ” data-fave-thumbnails=”{"big": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/still-23031175-2479992-667-still.jpg?c=16×9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill" }, "small": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/still-23031175-2479992-667-still.jpg?c=16×9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill" } }” data-vr-video=”false” data-show-html=”” data-byline-html=” By Ainsley Ehlers, CNN ” data-timestamp-html=” Published 2:36 PM EDT, Thu October 1, 2026 ” data-check-event-based-preview=”” data-is-vertical-video-embed=”false” data-network-id=”” data-publish-date=”2026-10-01T13:45:57.350Z” data-video-section=”politics” data-canonical-url=”https://www.cnn.com/2026/10/01/politics/video/the-odds-vances-chance-cnc-kalpar” data-branding-key=”” data-video-slug=”the-odds-vances-chance-cnc-kalpar” data-first-publish-slug=”the-odds-vances-chance-cnc-kalpar” 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data-branding-key=”cnn-vote-check-dark-theme” data-video-slug=”scott-jennings-to-paxton-keep-trump-criticism-to-yourself” data-first-publish-slug=”scott-jennings-to-paxton-keep-trump-criticism-to-yourself” data-video-tags=”” data-breakpoints='{“video-resource–media-extra-large”: 660}’ data-display-video-cover=”” data-unselectable=”true” data-details=””> Video Ad Feedback Scott Jennings to Paxton: 'Keep Trump criticism to yourself' 2:55 Now playing • Source: CNN • Source: CNN ” data-fave-thumbnails=”{"big": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/still-23027789-5332569-297-still.jpg?c=16×9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill" }, "small": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/still-23027789-5332569-297-still.jpg?c=16×9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill" } }” data-vr-video=”false” data-show-html=”” data-byline-html=” By Logan Schiciano, CNN ” data-timestamp-html=” Published 2:36 PM EDT, Thu October 1, 2026 ” data-check-event-based-preview=”” data-is-vertical-video-embed=”false” data-network-id=”” data-publish-date=”2026-10-01T02:10:17.416Z” data-video-section=”politics” data-canonical-url=”https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/30/politics/video/ca-gov-debate-lesson-from-california-past-digvid” data-branding-key=”” data-video-slug=”ca-gov-debate-lesson-from-past” data-first-publish-slug=”ca-gov-debate-lesson-from-past” data-video-tags=”” data-breakpoints='{“video-resource–media-extra-large”: 660}’ data-display-video-cover=”” data-unselectable=”true” data-details=””> Video Ad Feedback Candidates share lessons from California’s past for its next governor 2:22 Now playing • Source: CNN • Source: CNN ” data-fave-thumbnails=”{"big": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/still-23027789-2621501-3850000002-still.jpg?c=16×9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill" }, "small": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/still-23027789-2621501-3850000002-still.jpg?c=16×9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill" } }” data-vr-video=”false” data-show-html=”” data-byline-html=” By Logan Schiciano, CNN ” data-timestamp-html=” Published 2:36 PM EDT, Thu October 1, 2026 ” data-check-event-based-preview=”” data-is-vertical-video-embed=”false” data-network-id=”” data-publish-date=”2026-10-01T01:26:52.834Z” data-video-section=”politics” data-canonical-url=”https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/30/politics/video/ca-gov-debate-becerra-job-creation-digvid” data-branding-key=”” data-video-slug=”ca-gov-debate-becerra-job-creation” data-first-publish-slug=”ca-gov-debate-becerra-job-creation” data-video-tags=”” data-breakpoints='{“video-resource–media-extra-large”: 660}’ data-display-video-cover=”” data-unselectable=”true” data-details=””> Video Ad Feedback Hilton says Becerra "never created a job" in his political career 1:06 Now playing • Source: CNN • Source: CNN ” data-fave-thumbnails=”{"big": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/still-23027789-3100104-413-still.jpg?c=16×9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill" }, "small": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/still-23027789-3100104-413-still.jpg?c=16×9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill" } }” data-vr-video=”false” data-show-html=”” data-byline-html=” By Logan Schiciano, CNN ” data-timestamp-html=” Published 2:36 PM EDT, Thu October 1, 2026 ” data-check-event-based-preview=”” data-is-vertical-video-embed=”false” data-network-id=”” data-publish-date=”2026-10-01T01:38:59.864Z” data-video-section=”politics” data-canonical-url=”https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/30/politics/video/ca-gov-debate-trump-trump-trump-digvid” data-branding-key=”” data-video-slug=”ca-gov-debate-trump-trump-trump” data-first-publish-slug=”ca-gov-debate-trump-trump-trump” data-video-tags=”” data-breakpoints='{“video-resource–media-extra-large”: 660}’ data-display-video-cover=”” data-unselectable=”true” data-details=””> Video Ad Feedback Hilton objects as Becerra repeatedly links him to Trump 1:23 Now playing • Source: CNN • Source: CNN ” data-fave-thumbnails=”{"big": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/still-23027789-1979430-147-still.jpg?c=16×9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill" }, "small": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/still-23027789-1979430-147-still.jpg?c=16×9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill" } }” data-vr-video=”false” data-show-html=”” data-byline-html=” By Logan Schiciano, CNN ” data-timestamp-html=” Published 2:36 PM EDT, Thu October 1, 2026 ” data-check-event-based-preview=”” data-is-vertical-video-embed=”false” data-network-id=”” data-publish-date=”2026-10-01T01:15:02.023Z” data-video-section=”politics” data-canonical-url=”https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/30/politics/video/ca-gov-debate-tax-cuts-digvid” data-branding-key=”” data-video-slug=”ca-gov-debate-tax-cuts” data-first-publish-slug=”ca-gov-debate-tax-cuts” data-video-tags=”” data-breakpoints='{“video-resource–media-extra-large”: 660}’ data-display-video-cover=”” data-unselectable=”true” data-details=””> Video Ad Feedback “A lot of new math”: Becerra presses Hilton on tax plan 3:57 Now playing • Source: CNN • Source: CNN ” data-fave-thumbnails=”{"big": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/thumb-23030918-1027010-657-thumb.jpg?c=16×9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill" }, "small": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/thumb-23030918-1027010-657-thumb.jpg?c=16×9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill" } }” data-vr-video=”false” data-show-html=”The Lead” data-byline-html=” By Jake Tapper, CNN ” data-timestamp-html=” Published 2:36 PM EDT, Thu October 1, 2026 ” data-check-event-based-preview=”” data-is-vertical-video-embed=”false” data-network-id=”” data-publish-date=”2026-09-30T22:34:34.733Z” data-video-section=”politics” data-canonical-url=”https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/30/politics/video/retired-army-major-general-slams-hegseths-senior-military-officer-cuts-lead-jake-tapper” data-branding-key=”” data-video-slug=”retired-army-major-general-slams-hegseths-senior-military-officer-cuts-lead-jake-tapper” data-first-publish-slug=”retired-army-major-general-slams-hegseths-senior-military-officer-cuts-lead-jake-tapper” data-video-tags=”the lead” data-breakpoints='{“video-resource–media-extra-large”: 660}’ data-display-video-cover=”” data-unselectable=”true” data-details=””> Retired Army Major General slams Hegseth's 'extremely dangerous' cut to senior officer ranks 0:57 Now playing • Source: CNN • Source: CNN ” data-fave-thumbnails=”{"big": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/kirsten-gillibrand-hegseth.jpg?c=16×9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill" }, "small": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/kirsten-gillibrand-hegseth.jpg?c=16×9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill" } }” data-vr-video=”false” data-show-html=”” data-byline-html=” By Pamela Brown, CNN ” data-timestamp-html=” Published 2:36 PM EDT, Thu October 1, 2026 ” data-check-event-based-preview=”” data-is-vertical-video-embed=”false” data-network-id=”” data-publish-date=”2026-09-30T17:22:10.350Z” 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Kirsten Gillibrand tells CNN she has "grave concerns" about Defense Secretary Hegseth's leadership 4:03 Now playing • Source: CNN • Source: CNN ” data-fave-thumbnails=”{"big": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/dana-and-dr-annie-andrews.jpg?c=16×9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill" }, "small": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/dana-and-dr-annie-andrews.jpg?c=16×9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill" } }” data-vr-video=”false” data-show-html=”Inside Politics” data-byline-html=” By Dana Bash, CNN ” data-timestamp-html=” Published 2:36 PM EDT, Thu October 1, 2026 ” data-check-event-based-preview=”” data-is-vertical-video-embed=”false” data-network-id=”” data-publish-date=”2026-09-30T17:33:19.028Z” data-video-section=”politics” data-canonical-url=”https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/30/politics/video/inside-politics-dr-annie-andrews-south-carolina-senate” data-branding-key=”” data-video-slug=”inside-politics-dr-annie-andrews-south-carolina-senate” data-first-publish-slug=”inside-politics-dr-annie-andrews-south-carolina-senate” data-video-tags=”” data-breakpoints='{“video-resource–media-extra-large”: 660}’ data-display-video-cover=”” data-unselectable=”true” data-details=””> Video Ad Feedback A Democrat hasn't won a South Carolina Senate seat since 1998. A pediatrician thinks she can change that. 3:56 Now playing • Source: CNN • Source: CNN ” data-fave-thumbnails=”{"big": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/still-23028392-472011-306-still.jpg?c=16×9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill" }, "small": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/still-23028392-472011-306-still.jpg?c=16×9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill" } }” data-vr-video=”false” data-show-html=”Inside Politics” data-byline-html=” By Dana Bash, CNN ” data-timestamp-html=” Published 2:36 PM EDT, Thu October 1, 2026 ” data-check-event-based-preview=”” data-is-vertical-video-embed=”false” data-network-id=”” data-publish-date=”2026-09-30T17:15:53.103Z” data-video-section=”politics” data-canonical-url=”https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/30/politics/video/senate-vote-data-centers-ohio-husted-brown-race” data-branding-key=”” data-video-slug=”senate-vote-data-centers-ohio-husted-brown-race” data-first-publish-slug=”senate-vote-data-centers-ohio-husted-brown-race” 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data-is-vertical-video-embed=”false” data-network-id=”” data-publish-date=”2026-09-30T03:41:38.585Z” data-video-section=”politics” data-canonical-url=”https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/29/politics/video/yang-top-a-i-executives-self-policing-worst-outcome-after-calls-slowdown-and-regulation-lcl” data-branding-key=”” data-video-slug=”yang-top-a-i-executives-self-policing-worst-outcome-after-calls-slowdown-and-regulation-lcl” data-first-publish-slug=”yang-top-a-i-executives-self-policing-worst-outcome-after-calls-slowdown-and-regulation-lcl” data-video-tags=”” data-breakpoints='{“video-resource–media-extra-large”: 660}’ data-display-video-cover=”” data-unselectable=”true” data-details=””> Video Ad Feedback Yang: Top A.I. executives self-policing ‘worst outcome’ after calls slowdown and regulation 0:56 Now playing • Source: CNN • Source: CNN ” data-fave-thumbnails=”{"big": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/thumb-23026075-2622261-273-thumb.jpg?c=16×9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill" }, "small": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/thumb-23026075-2622261-273-thumb.jpg?c=16×9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill" } }” data-vr-video=”” data-show-html=”” data-byline-html=” ” data-timestamp-html=” Published 2:36 PM EDT, Thu October 1, 2026 ” data-check-event-based-preview=”” data-is-vertical-video-embed=”false” data-network-id=”” data-publish-date=”2026-09-30T02:52:19.142Z” data-video-section=”politics” data-canonical-url=”https://www.cnn.com/politics/video/abby-phillip-factchecks-maga-panelist-on-deportations” data-branding-key=”” data-video-slug=”abby-phillip-factchecks-maga-panelist-on-deportations” data-first-publish-slug=”abby-phillip-factchecks-maga-panelist-on-deportations” data-video-tags=”newsnight,abby phillip” data-breakpoints='{“video-resource–media-extra-large”: 660}’ data-display-video-cover=”” data-unselectable=”true” data-details=””> Abby Phillip factchecks MAGA panelist on deportations 2:46 Now playing • Source: CNN See more videos Ad Feedback 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